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United States Patent | 6,016,717 |
Wheeler | January 25, 2000 |
An electric shift apparatus (10) for shifting a vehicle transmission assembly (12) includes a mounting structure (20) adapted to be mounted to a transmission housing (22), an electric motor (24) supported by the mounting structure (20), and a drive assembly (26) operably driven by the electric motor (24). The apparatus (10) further includes a core element (28) movably supported by the mounting structure (20) and a guide (30) for guiding the core element (28). A terminal (32) is slidably disposed in the guide (30) and connected to the core element (28). A shift lever (34) is movable between a plurality of shift positions and connected to the terminal (32) for shifting a transmission. The apparatus (10) is characterized by the core element (28) comprising a helical cable (36) which is driven by the drive assembly (26) for linear actuation of the shift lever (34). The helical cable (36) is comprised of a filamentous member (38) and a core member (40) that defines a longitudinal axis (42). The filamentous member (38) is wound in spaced convolutions to define tooth-like members (44). The tooth-like members (44) are spaced apart from one another along the core element (38) and are in driven engagement with the drive assembly (26).
Inventors: | Wheeler; Douglas J. (Farmington Hills, MI) |
Assignee: | Teleflex Incorporated (Plymouth Meeting, PA) |
Appl. No.: | 080429 |
Filed: | May 18, 1998 |
Current U.S. Class: | 74/473.12; 74/335; 74/473.15; 74/502.5 |
Intern'l Class: | B60K 020/00; F16H 059/00 |
Field of Search: | 74/473.12,473.1,473.14,473.15,512,513,560,501.5 R,501.6,335,502.5 29/401.1 |
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